This article tests the hypotheses from equity theory and social integration theory regarding the effect of social relationships on depressive symptoms. The expected result is that social relationships tend to decrease the number of depressive symptoms. The study was based in two points (waves) in time. The baseline sample consists of 871 subjects interviewed in 1995, among those, 551were re-interviewed in 1999. Cross-sectional and longitudinal multivariate regression models estimate the effect of two dimensions of social relationships (i.e., social exchanges and social integration) on depressive symptoms. The results indicate that unbalanced exchange increases depressive symptoms, and social integration decreases depressive symptoms.

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Depressive symptoms; Old ageds; Social relations; Social exchanges; Social integration.